Benjamin followed Zoren around with observant eyes. Even on their way to the company, he couldn’t help but glance at the backseat, just to see his boss staring out the window.
’Is he acting strange, or am I?’ Benjamin wondered, unsure if he was just giving himself something to think about.
The doctor’s advice had been for Zoren to rest today, but this was Zoren. Even if he got into an accident, he would work as if nothing happened. Today was no different.
’But somehow, I feel like something’s wrong! Or is it that something’s right?’ Benjamin rubbed his chin, deep in thought. ’Or did he just wake up differently?’
Snapping his eyes back to Zoren, Benjamin narrowed them. Surprisingly, Zoren’s faint color remained. He looked as though he’d just had a blood transfusion that gave him enough of a boost for a few extra days.
"Benjamin."
Benjamin tensed up at his boss’s call. "Yes, sir?!"
"Why are you so excited so early in the morning?" Zoren asked, setting his eyes on the front seat. "Did something happen?"
"No, sir. It’s just that..." Benjamin trailed off as he briefly assessed his boss. "I think you look better than usual, sir. Considering last night’s situation, I was a little worried that you’d still be sick. How are your eyes, sir?"
"They’re better."
"Better?" Benjamin perked up. "What do you mean, better, sir? Did you regain—"
"Don’t jump to conclusions," Zoren chuckled. "It’s still blurry, but it’s much better than seeing nothing but black."
"Ahh..." Hearing his boss’s answer left an inexplicable emotion in Benjamin’s heart. He didn’t know if this was even a good thing or not. Logically, it was better than going completely blind. Last night was truly a scary experience; Benjamin couldn’t even sleep properly.
"Speaking of last night..." Zoren hummed, his eyes on Benjamin. "... who took care of me last night?"
"Huh?"
"I thought someone was there."
Benjamin’s breath stopped as a look of horror spread across his face. His wide eyes studied Zoren before he said, "Sir, the nurses took turns looking after you last night! It was probably one of them."
"One of the nurses?"
"Yes!" Benjamin nodded. "I would’ve looked after you, but I’m more confident in their skills. After all, your temperature was very high, and you were even convulsing at one point."
"Oh..."
"Good thing they managed to lower it," Benjamin continued. "Otherwise, I’m afraid you’d have set the house on fire! That’s how high your fever was!"
Zoren rocked his head. "Really, huh?"
"Yes! This is Miss Penelope’s fault!" Benjamin added, not forgetting to drag Penny into it. "She should’ve been more considerate about your health! How could she tire you out so much when she knew about your medical condition?! Didn’t we send your medical records to her?! Hah! This is so frustrating!"
Zoren remained silent, listening to Benjamin’s nonsensical blubbering. After three full minutes, his assistant finally stopped, as if he realized just how much energy he was wasting on hating Penny.
"Ahem!" Benjamin cleared his throat. "Anyway, sir, Miss Patricia answered my email last night."
’No, sir! Question me more! This is not the time you should listen to my nonsense!’ Benjamin yelled in his heart but bit his tongue. Instead, he just sighed heavily. "Anyway, sir, I haven’t responded to Miss Miller. What should I tell her?"
"Mhm."
"But what if Renny doesn’t recognize her anymore and ends up biting her?"
"Renny won’t do that," Zoren said, peeling his eyes away from his assistant to look out the window. "I’m confident he won’t." Unless he told him to.
"Alright." Benjamin sighed and looked away from the back seat, snapping his gaze ahead. Another sigh escaped him, his heart feeling a little heavy. "Miss Penny, I’m sorry... Even though I know this is what you want, I’m sorry for talking bad about you."
His eyes softened apologetically, recalling the previous night’s events.
***
Last night...
When Benjamin didn’t know what to do and was scared that what was unfolding in front of him were Zoren’s last hours, he dialed the only person he knew he could cling to for hope at the moment. He called the very person who had given Zoren hope to live and who had given Old Mrs. Pierson a reason to cling to life.
Penny.
He listened to the line ring, hoping she would answer, even though it was late. When he thought the call would end, the line connected. Tears brimmed in his eyes as his entire body shook.
"Miss... Miss Penny... what am I going to do?" His voice shook as he sniffled hard. "Please... help, Miss Penny."
If even the doctors didn’t know what was wrong with his boss, Benjamin thought that if these were Zoren’s last moments, he might as well spend them with the most precious person in his life.
And thankfully, Penny arrived fifteen minutes after that call.
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